The Goods: Water Coolers

Corbis

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Courtesy Company

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Thirsty?

Brita Hydration Station

Innowave UVF3

Follett 7 Series Countertop

Culligan Executive

The water cooler has long been a focal point of office life. But gone are the days of big plastic bottles. These bottle-free coolers cut down on landfill waste and offer nifty features such as sparkling water, ice chips, and extrahot water, for the oatmeal eaters in the office.

Brita’s wall-mounted unit has a touch-free sensor for dispensing water. Unlike the other coolers here, it must be connected to a tap-water line, instead of a standard water line. It does not dispense hot or chilled water, but you can add a chiller for an extra $23 a month. The carbon filter removes impurities and reduces lead and the taste and odor of chlorine. Filters last for 40,000 8-ounce servings, and refills cost $80 each. cost: $69 a month to lease, which includes two filters a year

This pushbutton floor-standing cooler dispenses cold, hot, extrahot, and sparkling water. The dispenser area is coated with bacteria-inhibiting silver ion, and the tank contains an ultraviolet light designed to prevent bacteria growth. You can choose from three filters that reduce the taste and smell of chlorine and screen out lead and other contaminants. Filters last for 32,000 8-ounce servings. cost: Starts at $75 a month to lease, which includes maintenance and filter refills

Short on space in the break room? This countertop cooler dispenses room-temperature water and ice chips but lacks a built-in water chiller. The pushbutton-dispenser area is coated with an antimicrobial agent. You can choose from two filters that reduce common contaminants and last for 48,000 8-ounce servings. Refills cost $35 to $80.
cost: Starts at $100 a month
to lease, which includes
maintenance and filter refills

Culligan’s floor unit has pushbuttons for cold, hot, and extrahot water. The dispenser area is coated with bacteria-inhibiting silver ion, and the tank has a UV light. The cooler has slots for two water filters, each of which lasts for 16,000 8-ounce servings. You can choose from several filters that screen out sediment and other contaminants and reduce the smell and taste of chlorine. cost: Starts at $35 a month to lease, which includes maintenance and filter refills